The BBC's Jonathan Beale"Mr Mandelson plans to continue his campaign to clear his name" real 56kThe BBC's Robin Chrystal"He's used the press to say he has no intention of damaging the government or the Labour party" real 56k

Sunday, 4 February, 2001, 12:05 GMT

Mandelson 'not seeking revenge'

Peter Mandelson wants to clear his name

Former Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Mandelson has vowed not to damage the government or Labour Party as he tries to clear his name.

Mr Mandelson, forced to resign after misleading Downing Street about his role in the Hinduja passport affair, says he wants to set the facts straight, not seek revenge.

He told the Independent on Sunday that nothing he does "will ever be designed to harm the government or the party".

I know I didn't lie and I have got to establish that

Peter Mandelson

"I didn't mislead people. I know I didn't lie and I have got to establish that," he said.

Mr Mandelson vowed to "co-operate fully" with the independent probe into the passport saga set up by Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Sir Anthony Hammond QC, is leading the inquiry into the passport application by Srichand Hinduja, part of the Hinduja Foundation, which donated £1m towards the Millennium Dome's Faith Zone.

Mr Mandelson resigned after it emerged he misled government colleagues over whether he had asked a fellow minister if a passport application could be reconsidered from Mr Hinduja.

In his defence, Mr Mandelson points to a memo written by a Northern Ireland official, a fortnight before his resignation, which questioned whether the Home Office minister Mike O'Brien could remember the disputed telephone call.

The Independent on Sunday quotes the memo as saying: "I am told you raised the issue with Mike O'Brien in a telephone call or personal note. Mike O'Brien doesn't remember how you raised it."

Mr Mandelson has been out of the country for the past week and is expected to return to Britain and visit his Hartlepool constituency later this week.

He is reported to have recruited another high profile supporter to champion his cause.